Feb-2015
Are You a Victor or A Victim?
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they have it more abundantly.(John 10:10)
Knowing who you are is critical to being who God predestined you to be. Every believer must begin each day understanding that our attitude is rooted and grounded in our faith. When we are looking at our problems do we constantly complain about what's wrong, or we mindful that we are overcomers. Many believers want to enjoy the blessings, the favor and the joy of the Lord. Yet, when our season of struggle, difficulty are upon us, we must know that we are a victor and not a victim.
The Gospel of John records seven I am statements which affirm the deity of Christ. In chapter 10 Jesus is the door of the sheep, the only way that the people of God can enter into a place of rest and restoration is to enter through Him. If we are to live our lives in victory we must live it in Jesus! Our enemy wants to steal our joy, kill our faith, destroy our character, and take our very lives. But, Christ came that we might have life, that we might live in Him and under the shadow of His wings.
Remember failure is possible but it is not permanent, bad things do occur but we are overcomers. Let downs, disappointment and distraction are all a part of the journey. But Christ came that we will live in abundance and our let downs will be followed by His love lifting us higher, our disappointments will become celebrations of praise , when we think about how He has brought us through. In the end we will always Win!! "Are You a Victor or a Victim?
.Pastor SP Courtney
Who Are You When No One Is Looking?
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses , the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.(2nd Timothy 2:2)
When we consider what others think about us, we perhaps only ponder about those who we are around or with on a daily or weekly basis. We really only consider friends and acquaintances or hopefully our brothers and sisters in Christ. I wonder do we ever ask what we think about ourselves? Not who you are in the presence of others, but who are you when absolutely no one is looking?
The Apostle Paul's Pastoral epistle to young Minister Timothy informs him of many things. When Paul is asking Timothy to find faithful men, he gives us a peak inside of who Paul really is. Yes he is someone that many witnesses will testify about who he is and what he stands for. It is true that our work should speak for us. That we should not have to boast or brag on ourselves, but there should be others who can witness about our Kingdom work.
Yet when the apostle Paul described the type of men and women that could carry on the work he uses the word faithful. I believe that Paul is telling Timothy that the reason people can witness about me because I am faithful to my calling. In order to be productive in ministry and in life, we must see ourselves as faithful. Faithful fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, kingdom participants and children of God. When no one is looking are you faithful to your God? "Who are you When No One is Looking?
Pastor SP Courtney
